Real questions, honest answers.

From travelers in China right now — answered by expats and our team. No marketing fluff, no AI guesswork.

Results for "Alipay setup"

13 questions
53
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Money & Payments Shanghai

Can I use cash or credit cards in Shanghai or do I need Alipay

Install Alipay before flying and link Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Discover; verification can take 24 hours.

51
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Money & Payments Shanghai

Can I use cash in Shanghai or do I need Alipay

Install Alipay before departure and verify your passport over Wi-Fi at home; in-China verification can stall for 24 hours.

44
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Transport & Getting Around Shanghai

How can I avoid smoky taxis and rude drivers when using ride-sharing in Shanghai?

Pick Didi Premier (¥21 base) or Luxe over Express to cut smoking incidents — premium drivers lose payouts after complaints.

45
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Transport & Getting Around Shanghai

What is the fastest transportation option from Shanghai PVG Airport to the cruise terminal when facing a tight boarding deadline?

Use a metered airport taxi or Didi; budget ¥220 to ¥280 and 60 to 90 minutes from PVG to Dongdaming Road.

48
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Transport & Getting Around Shanghai

How to transfer between Hongqiao and Pudong airports Shanghai

Take the Airport Link Line for ¥26 — 40-minute transfer between Pudong and Hongqiao, versus 90+ minutes on Metro Line 2.

67
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Transport & Getting Around Shanghai

Is British Airways worth the additional cost compared to China Eastern for flights to Shanghai?

Budget 1,150 GBP round-trip on BA versus 580 GBP on MU for London-Shanghai economy in 2026; the gap is roughly 50%.

52
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General Travel Tips Shanghai

Where exactly is this viewing spot located and how do I get there?

Take Metro Line 12 to Tiantong Road, Exit G, then walk 10 minutes north on Qinyuan Road; entry is free and 24/7.

69
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Food & Dining Shanghai

What should travelers expect regarding the cost and typicality of Chinese New Year dinners?

Budget 300 to 500 yuan per person for a standard restaurant reunion set in Shanghai 2026; premium venues run 2,000 yuan and up.

55
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Culture & Etiquette Shanghai

Where can I find well-preserved old lane houses in Shanghai?

Walk Wukang Road and Fuxing Middle Road for the densest cluster of protected lane houses — 37 listed buildings on Wukang alone.

44
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Hotels & Accommodation Shanghai

Can a married tourist share a hotel room with a local Chinese citizen in Shanghai without legal issues?

Verify on Trip.com that the hotel accepts both 'Mainland Chinese ID' and 'Passports/Foreign Guests' before booking — single-listing properties reject mixed groups.

53
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General Travel Tips Shanghai

When is the best time to see cherry blossoms at Gucun Park in Shanghai?

Peak bloom 2026 runs March 21 to April 9; the early-bloom phase March 9–20 is sparser but quieter.

54
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Hotels & Accommodation Shanghai

Which hotel is better for sightseeing and shopping in Shanghai: Marriott Marquis City Center or Conrad Shanghai?

Pick the Marriott Marquis for sightseeing and shopping — it sits on Nanjing Road and People's Square with Metro Lines 1, 2, and 8 in one block.